Grammar Minute

Warsafe is a young adult science fiction novel, coming May 2025. Preorders open today! Learn more at www.laurensmythbooks.com.

The title says it all. Find out how to improve your writing in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

The answer might surprise you. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"None" is short for "no one," which makes it a singular noun. But do we really have to treat it like one? Find out on this episode of Grammar Minute!

Angels appear to people. Opinions do not. So don't use this one common phrase in your academic essay, under peril of your professor's red pen!

Brands that sound like commonly used terms should still be capitalized. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to Part 3 of my ongoing series, How Not to Use the Word Enormity.

You just never know ... but you will after listening to today's episode of Grammar Minute!

You don't "wait on" as many things as you think you do. Learn more in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"Conciseness" or "concision?" Learn more on today's rerun episode of Grammar Minute!

Sophia Hansen isan organic writer, using no hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides on her words unless absolutely convenient. She’s lived on a tiny island in Alaska, the bustling cities of New York and Boston, and has settled in the southeast where she writes and edits in other worlds. Sophia loves plenty of coffee, crispy bacon, and—after 30+ years of marriage, seven children, and numerous pets—that she can still fit into her high school earrings.

The dreaded "not un-" construction returns in today's rerun episode of Grammar Minute.

Inflammable. Incombustible. Thanks, English. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Who ate the last cookie--and what am I implying? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Humans and hoot owls have some vocabulary in common. Learn how to use the "owl words" correctly in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

If Hadrian and Mittens are sitting in front of the fire, could it be that Hadrian or Mittens ... are going to get up and eat dinner? Find out on today's (rerun) episode of Grammar Minute!

It could always be worse ... right? Find out more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Like most things in English: It depends. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Tune in today for a science and faith-filled conversation with author and astrophysicist Dr. Hugh Ross, of Reasons to Believe.

"They" used in the singular sense has a long and complicated history. Here's one instance where it definitely doesn't work.

"Mechanical pencils are just better." Well, yes--but better than what? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

The answer is probably no. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Your affect will show how effectively you understand the difference between "affect" and "effect." Test your English savvy on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Preposition alert! "Enamored" can be used without an object, but the more common usage requires a preposition. The only problem is, which one should you choose? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

It's back to school season, and that means it's time to start sending emails. Here are a few quick tips and tricks to make sure your emails are well-received!

Sentence order matters. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Banish run-on sentences with these tips from today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Then. Than. Thaen? Learn the difference between these words on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

English is weird. Really weird--even weirder than I can explain in almost 100 episodes. Learn how to get your questions answered on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Weirdly put. Put weirdly? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

It's strange--but easy. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"Mean you" are going to the grocery store. Say it with me: What? Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Actually, you might not need that comma. Especially if you're writing conversationally. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Where's the best spot to write a book? How do you ask for book blurbs, beta readers, and more? Join me for a conversation with Lyndsey Lewellen, author of the just-released novel The Chaos Grid.

Lyndsey Lewellen is a YA science fiction and fantasy author. Her stories are filled with adventure, wonder, and journeys toward redemption. When she’s not writing, reading, or whittling down her endless TBR, she designs covers for novels and paints on shoes. Learn more about her work at lyndseylewellen.com.

It's official: One-sentence paragraphs are the new sliced bread. (Or is that a case of mixed metaphors?) Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and don't forget to visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks!

Join me for a conversation with Cathy McCrumb, author of the Children of the Consortium science fiction series! We'll cover everything from what it's like to be a first-time author to picking yourself up after harsh feedback to moving cross-country with your favorite books.

Cathy McCrumb graduated from Biola University with a degree in English Literature and a love for stories. She and her husband, whom she met while writing letters to soldiers, have five children. They currently live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains.

Click here to read her work.

Welcome back to another episode of the Grammar Hall of Shame! This unremarkable entry showcases the blandness of short prepositions. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.

Hats off to this underrated, so-called "archaic" punctuation mark that can make pronunciation a whole lot easier. For more tips and tricks, visit thegrammarminute.com.

"Good." "Bad." "Fine." "Very." Learn how to banish these overused words from your lexicon in today's episode of Grammar Minute. 

It's not unlikely that you've seen this construction before ... but here's to hoping you never see it again. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

I sneeze if I pet cats, but I become joyful iff I pet cats. Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

Toss out your grammar book and your thesaurus when you're writing email subject lines (unless you want to sound like ChatGPT). Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute, and visit thegrammarminute.com for more tips and tricks.

Learn why you've literally been using "literally" to mean exactly the opposite of what it literally means.

After today's episode of Grammar Minute, you'll be able to poetically stare off into the sunset just like the heroes of your favorite dystopian novels.

Your tower might be based off a shaky foundation--unless it's on the foundation. Nitpick some popular grammar on today's episode of Grammar Minute.

This poem mysteriously turned up on the back of my economics quiz, imparting powerful knowledge from the keeper of American vs. British spellings and, also, of economics--Dr. Charles Steele of Hillsdale College. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

A 2011 study found that political candidates' grammar may influence voter perception on their chances of reelection. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute--and if you're curious, read the study at this link.

"That" and "who" don't sound like obvious candidates for a mix-up, but I bet you've encountered this grammatical distinction--probably recently. Learn how to avoid the pitfall on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

I have more than a hundred books. Or ... do I have over a hundred books? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

President's Day. Presidents' Day. Presidents Day. This holiday has long stumped grammarians, and in fact, the correct spelling depends on exactly what you want to celebrate. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we've finally discovered a hard-and-fast rule of the English language!

Let me be honest: "I don't know" appears frequently in this episode. 

Up next in our series of commonly misused words, poor discrete is finally getting justice.

Get ready for more fantastic news headlines that got things wrong with one of my favorite words: Enormity.

Short sentences pack great punch. Like this. Or this. Discover the magic of varied sentence length on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Economists say no. Grammarians say no, too - at least, some of them do. Learn more about this wonky phrase on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Welcome to this special episode of Grammar Minute - a short story audio drama by GM's host, Lauren Smyth!

A dying star. A one-person shelter. A robot for company. Life on a barely habitable planet might be lonely, but it's also a great way to escape the past--or so Ozero thinks. But when an unfamiliar spaceship crash-lands near his shelter, Ozero is faced with a decision: Will he seek revenge for the destruction of his family, or will he find healing through forgiveness?

Performed by Lauren Smyth, Ryan Bagley, Alex Bodnar, & Rachel Moeller.

Read the original short story & anthology: https://a.co/d/f4rv2lH

Change the status quo. Avoid Latin like you avoid cliches - that is, like the plague.

I'm a hard news and fiction writer. Here's why I'm not worried about ChatGPT taking my job - plus an (un)grammatical approach to staying ahead of the robot army.

These two simple tips will make your writing clearer - and once you see this mistake, you'll never fail to notice it. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Grammar Minute usually isn't an opinion show, but could there be room for opinions among the many and often contradictory rules of Grammar? Hear the official opinion on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Since when has Grammar Minute been an opinion show? Since we started talking about "me either" vs. "me neither!"

What should you do about those pesky words that sometimes seem to be spelled with "s" but sometimes go without? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Where's your grammatical foundation - and how solid is it? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

It's National Coffee Day ... at least, it was the day I recorded this episode. You may not be sure how grammar and coffee are related, but you can find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Commas are suffering from severe overuse. Learn how notto use a comma on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Meet the interrobang, a non-standard punctuation mark that I wish we'd use more often. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

I am well. I am doing well. I am good. I'm not so good now because my English professor is asking about my day and I don't know what to say. Learn how to respond impressively on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Are there any common words you've been using that actually don't exist? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

You probably already know this word is a travesty, but why? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Depending on the font you're using, ' and ' don't actually mean the same thing. Find out why you should care (a little bit) on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Hint: This episode may help you impress your geology professor, if you have one. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

When my cats and I have a staring competition, are we looking at one another or each other? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

If you're not careful, you could ... lose? Loose? something important! 

Here's your biweekly (ha!) reminder from Grammar Minute that you, too, can be smarter than big name companies. Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

This will never not be one of my favorite topics. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Dot your "i," cross your "t," and don't forget to write "ly." Learn why on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

We're pretty sure the national park service didn't really mean for hunters to shoot pedestrians. Or did they? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

"Tables are for eating customers only." Are you ... sure about that? Find out what went wrong on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

If you're reading a great book that all your friends are now required to enjoy, too, how should you punctuate the title? Find out in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

If your friend invites you over for supper, do you know what time to show up? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Are you waiting on or for your Amazon package? Find out in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

There are only so many different ways to spell "their." Find out if they're your kryptonite on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

There's a lot going on this episode of Grammar Minute ...

Their, they're, there - what's a writer to do? Learn the difference on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

What if you're writing an email and you only get one draft to show off your most professional grammar knowledge? Learn some quick editing techniques that can help on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

When you're writing something that requires multiple drafts, how do you slow yourself down enough to catch the little mistakes? Learn the best technique I've developed over seven years as a writer on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Okay, it's not THAT hard, but even seasoned writers often get this one wrong. Learn more on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Hint: Don't use these words in your next English paper. Find out what they are on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

When are text abbreviations OK? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Last week (and on Instagram) I recommended against using quotation marks to express emphasis. Here's what you should do instead - on this week's episode of Grammar Minute!

Find out what quotation marks are really for - and how to use them - on this episode of Grammar Minute!

Or: "How Fast Can Lauren Talk." Just kidding - you'll be able to easily understand these brief explanations of the eight English parts of speech!

Hint: Semicolons are not your friends. Find out why on this episode of Grammar Minute!

"Most" and "-est" don't go together. Find out why on this episode of Grammar Minute!

"No" is a complete sentence when your sworn enemy invites you to a swordfight in the midst of a dark wood under the crescent moon. But is it really a complete sentence? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Humans and hoot owls have some vocabulary in common. Learn how to use the "owl words" correctly in today's episode of Grammar Minute!

How can you instantly know the difference between a noun and a verb, even without hearing the rest of the sentence? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!

Why does "the house of my parents" sound weird, but "the House of Representatives" doesn't? Find out on today's episode of Grammar Minute!